Deputy Foreign Minister of Cuba Abillardo Moreno (R) talks with Assistant Foreign Minister of Egypt Naela Gabr during the inauguration of senior officials meeting of 15th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, July 11, 2009. Senior officials from over 140 countries began to meet here on Saturday to discuss the agenda and draft documents for the 15th NAM summit. (Xinhua/Wang Jianhua) Photo Gallery>>>

    SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Heads of state or government from member countries of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) gathered here from July 11-16 for the 15th NAM summit with focus on diplomatic, economic, development and social issues.

    It is the second time for Egypt, a founder of the movement, to hold the summit after 1964. The meeting, with the theme of "International Solidarity for Peace and Development," will be attended by about 60 heads of state and government. In total, about 110 countries will be represented at the summit.

    Senior officials and foreign ministers from the member countries will hold preparatory meetings to pave the way for the final documents of the summit.

    Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is scheduled to take the rotating chair from Cuban leader Raul Castro during the summit.

    The NAM leaders will listen to report by the chair of the 14th NAM Raul Castro and hold general debate on the current global economic and financial crisis.

    The chairman of the G-77 and China and the representatives of regional groups will deliver statements at the opening session.

Delegates attend the inauguration of senior officials meeting of 15th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, July 11, 2009. (Xinhua/Zhang Ning) Photo Gallery>>>

    The summit will adopt two main documents, namely the Final Document, which will outline the common position of the movement on various issues on its agenda, and the Sharm el-Sheikh Declaration, which would focus on the development of the group itself.

    The Non-Aligned Movement Committee on Palestine will debate on the current situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and adopt the Declaration on Palestine.

    A "First Ladies Summit" will be held on the last two days, with a general debate on "The Role of Women in Crisis Management."

    The NAM, initiated by 25 countries at the first NAM summit in Belgrade of the former Yugoslavia in September 1961, was a group of nations that seek to pursue the principle of an independent, democratic policy without alliance with any power or bloc.

    It supports the people of all countries in their struggles for independence, sovereignty, development of economy and the establishment of a new international political and economic order.

    The NAM, which holds summit every three years, is the largest political group apart from the United Nations. Since 1961, it has grown to 118 members.

    The last NAM summit was held in Havana, Cuba, on Sept. 11-16, 2006, with the adoption of five documents urging solidarity among member countries to better respond to global threats and challenges.

    China became an observer of NAM in 1992.